Is Apple Scared of the Storm?
It’s probably not a coincidence that Apple announced the release of their 2.2 update for the super-successful iPhone on the same day that RIM/Verizon planned to release the much anticipated Blackberry Storm. Both have a touch-screen, 3G connectivity and basic PIM functionality, but the similarities end there. The iphone has the app store that is revolutionary in hand-held devices. RIM has the reputation as a diehard business machine that is bulletproof when it comes to email. Both reputations are well deserved and both phones will continue to coexist in the market.
At the same time, the Storm does bring new competition to Apple from a company that has long held the business standard for email/phones. For some there is also the anti-establishment that comes with owning something other than the iPhone. Yet, it seems RIM has missed the most successful and likely profitable piece of the iPhone and that is the App Store. Apple is able to get their now massive development community writing software for their device that they make money for helping to sell. Virtually 100% profit on top of what they’re already driving from handset, music, and video sales.
Only time will tell if the Storm can take away any Apple marketshare, but at this point it would seem that RIM has come out with a very nice also-ran that may capture some of the touchscreen business by virtue of its legacy success with email.
Ranter
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